problem  highlighted well
kutty

I am sad for the old couple looted. you have posted the question very well. The dilemma haunts the sensitive young people on the plight of their elders. How should they be looked after in the old age? Will old age homes provide the answer? I suppose they can if we think of COMMUNITY LIVING. I mean HOSTEL ACCOMODATION by the like minded people with some acquaitances. They can create their own messes. The government has to give encoragement to such groups. This will also reduce pressure on HOUSING.   I know old age homes are still not accepted by the rural society--majority still lives in rural india.  But rural india is getting fast urbanised and the problem will trickle in. The government can advocate COMMUNITY HOUSING COMPLEXES instead of GROUP HOUSING SOCIETIES OR independent PLOTS. Regards. Rajee. 

never keep vaulables at home and as u age it is better to keep to minimal so that when they come looking at the helpless ness let them go empty handed..may be what u say is true at least in old age homes all will be together..no left behind due to age..sunkan

Gowser,
As usual you are trivializing the issue, without applying thought. All thefts, robbery, murder are premeditative acts. Nobody, just walks in and decides that he is going to kill or rob or whatever. The thieves knew that there were two old people who were living here. They knew that their son was out of town. They knew that they were defenceless. That is why, they picked that time to strike. If there was a young person, or a few people there, they would not. This makes for what I am saying - the old are target and here even in spite of living in a community of people around them.Think!
Julia

Julia as usual you are confusing two issues.  

It is unfortunate what happened to your relatives as it is traumatic but had there been a younger person in the house or the old parents not in the house a lone woman or kids in their place they would still have been robbed. Yes being old makes one an easier target but frankly whoever was in the house that day and had chosen to open the door would have been robbed as few people are going to stand up to people with knives. 

I agree though that with times changing the issue of where people live as they get older gets trickier.  My parents like the idea of having their own place in a purpose built colony for old people that way they can be as independent as they want.  If however they become sick and need nursing hten they are thinking of what they would do in those situations.  The good thing is that they are thinking and planning ahead and are not relying on other people to make the decision for the as they know that ultimately it is their life to lead as they want to.  Luckily they are well off enough to make that choice.

Hi Sudha,
My partner too feels like you. Amma appa are thinking of it themselves. They say, they would like to go away to an Old age home in Chennai. The pressure of managing a home is also unbearable to Amma now as she has also aged. but the children, will never allow and maybe, the parents too are only thinking they will go, in passing. Its not easy, for either - parents or children. That's we are asking for "out-of-the-box" thinking and solutions.
Thanks for your comment
julia

Julia, 

I hope the 'elders' are okay now.  

I come from the old school of thought and believe that we all have some responsibilities and commitments.  I believe that it is our duty as sons and daughters to take care of our parents when they grow old.  My arguement is 'didn't they take care of us when we were young'?? If there are many children in the family then let the children take care of the parents in rotation, but old age homes are definitely a big no no.  Last but not the least I think we should take keep the elders' views in mind.

A wonderful article  

- Sudha

My pleasure Mrs Muffet

Hi julia,   

Very interesting read ....Am going to the site now. 

Thnx a bunch for sharing.

Happy heart,
I love your name Thanks for your comment
julia